Miranda was high this week

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So Miranda came home from her mission a couple weeks early to have some surgery, but I have this great excuse to still write our family history down, since her novio is still on his mission in Paris, France for the next year.  So until May 9, 2019, I'll still write a missionary letter for our blog posts.  =)

 
Ok, so there is this EPIC video of Carlie coming home from Prom that we stole off the security cameras... you definitely have to see it when you get back here.  It's the hug that wouldn't be graceful.  And it's so cute, too.  We heard from his mom that this door scene was awesome because he got to hug Carlie... so not a complete fail.  =)

Speaking of cute, they sent us the good pics from their group photo session.

Then, YOU HIT YOUR YEAR MARK!!  Happy Year Day!!!!  

So after I sent you the wimpy snowing picture on Monday, it started sticking, and it snowed all morning.

Jeff ran into a guy who used to be in our ward, but had to buy a house with more garage space to fit all his exotic cars... and even though he has some of the most heartbreakingly cool cars, he bought Jeff's same truck, same leadfoot gray.  Serious bromance moment.

And then the best part of the week happened.  At midnight, we gathered together with our signs & balloons at the airport.

And this adorable girl, dressed like a CHOLITA, came off the plane.

I couldn't wait any more and ran up to hug her

And one by one, our whole family joined the hug.

She was a little happy to see us.

The End.  

All is right in the world again.

So here's a shot of all Miranda's fans... I can't believe how many people came to see her at MIDNIGHT.  Especially cool was her foreign exchange friend from HS, Maggie, who happened to be in the country for 8 days... PERFECT TIMING.  =)

So all day on Tuesday, Miranda was still a missionary.  We went to Salt Lake to drop off some Mother's Day refugee kits, went to Zupas,

Made sure we captured this beauty... and the sign.

So cute.  At least 2 neighbors saw us while we did this, and honked crazy honkings while they drove past.  Everyone loves Miranda.

Then we met at the Stake Center, and President Andersen released her.  It was such a sweet experience; he mentioned, just like so many people, that her presence lit up the room. She has a glow and radiance that lights everything up.

Then we had to hit JCW's for a much-anticipated cheeseburger.

When we got home, Miranda gave everyone their souvenirs.  It was pretty awesome.

Sadly, we made all the kids go to bed for school the next day while Jeff & I made sure she saw The Last Jedi that night.  One movie down, about 25 to go.  =)

Wednesday, Miranda got this beautiful box of flowers delivered.  Some thoughtful people from CA were thinking of her, and welcoming her home.

They're so pretty!

Later that day, all my kids were hanging.  They were laughing together & chatting, and I marveled that they were under the same roof.  This is what I live for, but I didn't realize it until they were all here.

Then this awesomeness happened.

Miranda's cousins, Abby & Paul (17 & 14) stopped by and brought her a treat and these cool balloons:

This was the last week of tennis for Derek.  Cool team pictures:

Thursday was our National Day of Prayer, and this epic thing happened:

That evening, Miranda went with me to serve at a reception, and ended up seeing half the ward and some HS acquaintances.  The ladies from the ward gathered around her and soaked her up the whole time.  It was so awesome to see her hanging out so easily with older women.  I love how mature Miranda is now.  =)  I have to get the picture from my friend, so that will have to come later. Dang it.  

These pieces of artwork from the airport are now hanging around the house as if in a gallery.

Friday, STAR WARS DAY, we took this kiddo in to go under the knife.  We even wore SW shirts to the hospital. There may or may not be some SW memes attached to this letter.  Here's one for the road:

Miranda was a rockstar getting her IV in, and then disappeared from view.

When she came back, the nurse warned her that she would have gaps in her memory.  She has no recollection of this picture whatsoever.  Or asking for that apple juice & crackers right there on the table.  This is the EXTRA FUN Miranda right here:

Her surgery went lickety-split (because people still say that.  Cool people.), and her doctor said she could just come home with minimal pain meds and should be up & going pretty soon.  She was at a reception that night with Emily, like a tough girl.

Here are some more of the thoughtful flowers from people who love Miranda.  Carol & Winn's darling ones, with the Spencers' in the background.

Saturday, El Cinco de Mayo, Derek had tennis, and Connor had a soccer game & tennis while Miranda & I went to the temple and Black Panther together.  Then we all split up and went to H&K's game and Morgan's game,

picked up Derek from Momentum climbing, then met at the theater for Infinity War... it was a little bit amazing.

And jsyk, Cinco de Mayo is our anniversary.  So our marriage turned 23 this day.  Here are the pretty flowers Jeff got me, to complete our counter full of flowers this week:

And because of Cinco de Mayo (1995), these pictures came up on my memories in my feed.

This would be: Audra, my best friend, on his lap, then Kimmy, Tracy & Jana.  Oh wow.

And just to clarify, this is Aaron, Jared (Jeff's best man/ BFF), Mark.  Then in the front: Tyler, Tommy, Scott, Grant, Alex.  Hahaha!  They're all babies!  Including that man I married!

This was on the same post.  Might as well include it. 

This crossed our feeds:

And lastly, here's the only picture I took today.  Miranda talking to Jodie at Grandma's. 

Right?

OK MEMES!!!

Apparently, we had a national recall on romaine lettuce that was carrying e.coli.

And because of Anniversary:

And because Miranda knocked on the door without thinking:

Love you!  Have a wonderful week!!!  Love, us